Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna addressed the concerns of her constituents in the first Usapang Maynila held at Barangay 378 basketball covered court last Wednesday, Sept. 14.
Among the concerns that were raised in the event were the senior allowance and pension, payment of vendors, free passes for senior citizens to Manila Zoo, as well as the knee-level flooding in the city.
The chief executive clarified that the P500 allowance for senior citizens is given thrice a year or every four months per district.
The allowance for the succeeding four months will only be given once all districts received their allowances, she said.
Meanwhile, the social pension is funded and given by the national government through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to qualified senior citizens. This means that not all senior citizens who applied for social pensions are guaranteed social pensioners.
She said senior citizens should not be a pensioner of any other pensions for them to be qualified.
The vendors' annual payment of P600 was also raised.
Based on her conversation with Manila Hawkers, Lacuna said the payment is called the concessionaire's fee amounting to P620 per month.
This was for the space used by vendors to sell their goods, she said.
The mayor added these payments go directly to the coffers of the City of Manila.
Moreover, Lacuna said she will also discuss the possibility of passing an ordinance by the City Council giving the senior citizens of Manila a one-day free pass to Manila Zoo.
Lacuna also announced that a Christmas Lantern contest will also be held as per Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of Manila Director Charlie Dungo.
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting event is also set on Nov. 15 at the Kartilya ng Katipunan.
The city government also addressed the concerns of Manilenos regarding the knee-level flooding caused by the drainage along Aurora Boulevard.
City Engineer Engr. Armando Andres assured he will instruct his staff to check the said area and identify what causes the failure of the pump that results in flooding.
There is already an interceptor in Blumentritt that is supposed to pump the water to avoid the flooding, he noted.
Door-to-door visit
Aside from addressing the concerns of her constituents, Lacuna also took the opportunity to conduct door-to-door visits to the residents.
Lacuna, along with Vice Mayor Yul Servo, visited seven patients, including three dialysis patients and four stroke patients, in Zones 37 and 38.
Financial assistance and wheelchairs for those who are unable to walk were also given by the city government.
Senior citizens also received milk from the donation of Birch Tree.
Lacuna was joined by Nieto, Rep. Joel Chua, Majority Leader Councilor Jong Isip, Councilors Apple Nieto, Fa Fugoso, Maile Atienza, Terrence Alibarbar, and Tol Zarcal in the event.
Directors from the different departments of the City of Manila also attended the event.
Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan heads, senior citizens presidents, and TODA leaders from Zones 37 and 38, 3rd District of Manila, were also present.
The Usapang Maynila will be conducted per zone in different areas of Manila "to ensure that common concerns experienced and dealt with by Manileños in their respective zones are heard and addressed."